Pork Checkoff Announces 2019 Pork Industry Scholarship Recipients

The Pork Checkoff has awarded 20 scholarships to college students around the United States as part of its strategy to develop the pork industry's future human capital. A National Pork Board committee judged the pool of 48 applicants based on scholastic merit, leadership activities, involvement in the pork production industry and the applicants’ plans for a career in pork production.

“The Pork Checkoff is proud to support these young people who are showing a real interest in the pork industry as a career choice,” said Steve Rommereim, president of the National Pork Board and a producer from Alcester, South Dakota. “As our industry continues to evolve, we know we will need more qualified young people to take on the various roles in the pork chain. We must support this effort to help ensure the next generation of talent for our dynamic industry.”

The 20 student recipients hail from 10 states and 11 universities across the U.S. The 2019 Pork Industry Scholarship recipients are:

Applicant Name

Home Town

Institution

Major

McKenna Brinning

Keota, Iowa

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Lucas Buehler

Botkins, Ohio

Ohio State University

Animal Science

Jenna Chance

Lebanon, Indiana

Kansas State University

Animal Science & Industry

Katelyn Gaffield

Sheldon, Illinois

University of Illinois

Animal Science

Samuel Gerrard

Riner, Virginia

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Katyann Graham

Ames, Iowa

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Kathryn Groenenboom

Oskaloosa, Iowa

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Wade Hutchens

Ewing, Illinois

Illinois State University

Animal Science & Animal Industry Management

Amberly Jergens

Auburn, Iowa

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Owen Michael

Sidney, Ohio

Kansas State University

Animal Science

Kayla Miller

Webster City, Iowa

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Elizabeth Ries

Lomira, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - River Falls

Animal Science

Mikayla Shanks

McClure, Ohio

Ohio State University

Animal Science

Bryan Stallings

Sunbury, North Carolina

North Carolina State University

Animal Science

Ethan Stas

Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Penn State University

Animal Science /Science Option

Jadelyn Stewart

Vermontville, Michigan

Northwest Missouri State University

Animal Science

Ariel Taylor

Medina, Ohio

Ohio State University

Animal Science

Jordan Travis

Altoona, Iowa

Iowa State University

Animal Science

Madeline Zutz

St. Paul, Minnesota

University of Minnesota

Animal Science

This year’s top scholarship recipients are Jenna Chance and Jadelyn Stewart, who will receive a $5,000- and $3,500-scholarship, respectively. Chance, a senior at Kansas State University, is majoring in animal science. She plans to pursue a master of science degree in swine nutrition at Kansas State University. Ultimately, she would like to complete her doctorate in swine nutrition and become a nutritionist with a production company.

Stewart, a senior at Northwest Missouri State University, is majoring in animal science. She plans to pursue a master of science degree at the University of Illinois. She would like to tailor her degree program to include both animal and environmental science and ultimately work in the swine industry. The other award recipients will receive $2,000 each.

“Recruiting the next generation of thought leaders and decision makers for the swine industry is critical to making continual improvement in how we raisepigs” said Chris Hostetler, Director of Animal Science for the National Pork Board. “The Pork Industry Scholarship program supports students that have made a commitment to the swine industry to pursue advanced degrees in areas of study directly related to pork production.”

The National Pork Board has responsibility for Checkoff-funded research, promotionand consumer information projects and for communicating with pork producers and the public. Through a legislative national Pork Checkoff, pork producers invest $0.40 for each $100 value of hogs sold. The Pork Checkoff funds national and state programs in advertising, consumer information, retail and foodservice marketing, export market promotion, production improvement, technology, swine health, pork safety and environmental management. For information on Checkoff-funded programs, pork producers can call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675 or go to at www.pork.org.